IS HARRY PLANNING AN ESCAPE TO NEW YORK?

Charles' secret Manhattan bolthole could provide a safe haven for his son

When the King's public relations team quashed reports he'd secretly snapped up a $10.6 million apartment in Manhattan's Billionaires' Row in July, the story quickly disappeared. But last week, murmurings of the hush-hush hideaway resurfaced, begging the question: Why is Charles going to such trouble to keep the purchase a secret?

It's not unusual for the British royal family to own property in other countries - the homes are often used as official residences for Commonwealth consulates and this could be the reason for the King's purchase.

Indeed, at the time of her death in 2022, it was reported the late Queen Elizabeth II had amassed an impressive real estate portfolio in New York City, with 24 residences across Manhattan.

But another growing theory is that Charles, 75, could have bought the property as an olive branch for his son Prince Harry, 39, while he navigates difficulties in his marriage to the Duchess of Sussex.

"There's no doubt a big change is going on for Harry and Meghan," a royal insider tells Woman's Day.

"Everything they do and everything they try, rarely does it work out how they want it and the cracks have been showing for some time.